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September 12, 2017 – Seattle, WA: Three internationally recognized institutes of technology
(“polytechnics”) have joined forces to provide industry aligned, high-skill talent
for the Cascadia Corridor’s workforce needs. British Columbia Institute of Technology
(BCIT), Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech), and Oregon Institute of
Technology (Oregon Tech) will collaborate in multiple ways to leverage their extensive
applied education offerings in high-demand STEM fields. The alliance of these higher
education partners in the Cascadia Corridor was announced today by Microsoft president
Brad Smith at the Cascadia Corridor Innovation Conference in Seattle.

Brad Smith said, “As our region continues to establish itself as one of the world’s
most important hubs for innovation, its enormous appetite for high skilled talent
will only grow. Partnerships between polytechnics like these can create home-grown
talent to meet the rising workforce needs along the Cascadia Corridor.”

Combined, the Institutes provide engineering, technology and other applied degrees
at the associate, bachelor, and master’s levels. Their collective engagement in the
Cascadia Corridor will focus on close collaboration with industry, meeting its requirements,
and providing in-demand career opportunities for graduates.

Kathy Kinloch, President of BCIT, said, “We see it as critical that post secondary
institutions and industry, within and across our borders, work together to help fill
the huge demand for skilled workers and innovative approaches and solutions to support
the economy, our environment, and communities. Educating nearly 50,000 students ever
year in areas such as applied and natural sciences, business, computing, engineering,
and health sciences, BCIT is proud to join LWTech and Oregon Tech to become part of
the growing number of partnerships that are making the Cascadia Corridor a real and
viable opportunity for this region.”

With strategic locations near Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, Washington, and Portland,
Oregon, the three polytechnics will partner with each other and their shared industry connections
on work-integrated student learning placements, professional development opportunities
for faculty, and sponsorships of events and future-oriented initiatives, among other
areas under development.

Dr. Nagi Naganathan, president of Oregon Tech said, “The Pacific Northwest is fortunate
to have three technology-focused institutes that share similar student-oriented, industry-aligned,
applied learning missions. Our complementary programs and polytechnic pathways support
industry and close regional, national and international skills gaps. As polytechnics,
our institutions by nature operate under entrepreneurial philosophies that are part
of the culture of the Cascadia Corridor. This is a natural fit that will yield a significant
ROI for our region.”

The three institutes signed a Memorandum of Understanding today that outlines a matrix
of opportunities and value for their students, which ultimately will benefit the workforce
needs of industry. Collaborations will include areas such as degree program articulation
and credit transfer across the three campuses; industry-directed applied research;
joint projects and skills competitions; and meaningful exchanges for international
students visiting the US and/or Canada.

Dr. Amy Morrison Goings, president of LWTech said, “The role that polytechnic institutions
play with respect to economic development is a very critical one for our students
and for industry. We are aligned with workforce needs in a way that ensures we’re
focusing on the most in-demand technical fields across all degree levels. An integral
part of this shared mission includes closing opportunity gaps for underrepresented
students, increasing international mobility, and assisting industry in the diversification
of its workforce.”

Polytechnics have a long history of their graduates experiencing some of the broadest
career opportunities and highest starting and career salaries in their fields. At
the same time, these institutions are producing gains for industry partners because
they calibrate their education offerings with current and emerging needs.

About British Columbia Institute of Technology

The British Columbia Institute of Technology is a catalyst for economic, social, and
environmental prosperity in the province, the nation, and increasingly, the world.

Since 1964, BCIT has taught and trained generations of experts, professionals, and
innovators who have envisioned, created, evolved, and improved our country’s infrastructure,
accelerated its economy, and grown its stature. One of British Columbia’s largest
post-secondary institutes, BCIT educates nearly 50,000 students each year in areas
such as applied and natural sciences, business, computing, engineering, and health
sciences. The institute awards over 6,500 credentials annually ranging from certificates
and diplomas to bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Today, BCIT is reimagining the future
of student access, teaching, and learning. Its partnerships with communities and industry
help to anticipate and outpace the force of technological disruption and set its students
apart in a competitive and changing world.

About Lake Washington Institute of Technology

As the only public institute of technology in Washington State, Lake Washington Institute
of Technology (LWTech) provides students with the latest cutting edge skills relevant
to today’s workplace. LWTech offers eight applied bachelor’s degrees, more than 40
associate degrees, and more than 91 professional certificates in 42 areas of study,
including STEM-focused programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

About Oregon Institute of Technology

Founded in Klamath Falls in 1947, Oregon Institute of Technology is Oregon’s high
quality, public polytechnic institution. Oregon Tech provides bachelor’s and master’s
degree programs in engineering, health technologies, business, technology, communication,
and applied sciences that prepare students to be effective participants in their professional,
public, and international communities through applied, relevant learning and professional
practice. Oregon Tech has a full-service, residential campus in Klamath Falls; an
urban, industry-focused campus in the Portland-Metro area (in Wilsonville); an Online
campus; and offers degrees at Boeing Seattle and other sites. Visit www.oit.edu to learn more about Oregon Institute of Technology.

About Lake Washington Institute of Technology

As the only public institute of technology in Washington state, Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) a provides students with the latest cutting edge skills relevant to today’s workplace.
LWTech offers eight applied bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 associate degrees, and
more than 91 professional certificates in 42 areas of study, including STEM-focused
programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.